What makes you think you can change someone's mind about your religion?

Question

This is a straightfoward question. I note a lot of people here that use spam, cut and paste "factoids" about their brand of religion in what seems to be a desperate effort to dispel and debunk the popular view or established facts about their belief.

If you are comfortable believing your religion is the "truth", then why is it of any importance what I believe...or the next man or woman believes? The truth does not need an advocate, it can stand alone. You cannot force anyone to see what you see.

So, what is the objective of trying to change people's minds through these tactics (cut and pastes, lectures, factoids, etc) ?

Answer 1

Missionaries are of the worst kind of these people.

They feel that what they believe is so great, that everyone else needs to take part or at least lend them an ear.

The shirt & tie, bike riding Mormons going door to door or the hardline Christians traveling to other countries to "win souls for god" - they're everywhere.

As a Satanist I am against this type of solipsism. I do not care to win people over to my belief system as I understand Satanists to be born & not made. In addition to that, I don't feel obligated to fill any kind of quota for any higher power.

Most religious fanatics are good at swallowing down any garbage their leaders feed to them. This is why they usually have little to offer than bible quotes & learned dications when pitching their beliefs to someone.

If asked about Satanism, I don't mind a frank & open discussion. I can voice my opinions, my beliefs & allow others to do so - so long as they're not preaching at me, this gets us nowhere.

If one would like to debate (why they're right & I'm wrong) we can do that too. I can present factual information that can debunk their twisted version of history, philosophy one point at a time. I however will never do this in hopes of winning them over to my side - I recognize these people as lost causes from the start.

Answer 2

I don't think that anyone has the right to change anyone else's mind. In saying that here is the problem. There is a perception through the media that particular religion's are evil or misguided or whatever. People who subscribe to that religion feel the need to defend it. They don't want to be perceived as something as they are not. I have the right to read those people's answers or whatever you want to call it. Fortunately I was born with the ability to choose and believe whatever I feel unopposed to me.

By the way, I'm catholic and I think it's alright. You have the right to believe it or not. If you think it's crazy talk just have a chuckle and brush me off as a nutter. I don't care.

Answer 3

Some religions are called to preach their beliefs to others. It is naturally up to the others to choose to believe it or not. Those who do it forcefully or viciously, however, are poor representatives of their beliefs (except for the Nazis on Y!A--they can be as mean as they want).

Having said that, many of the questions that are asked here are attacks on other people's beliefs, but some are people who are genuinely seeking answers. I figure that if one belief's reps post a bunch of smart-**** remarks, and I give two or three intelligent and well-thought paragraphs about my belief, that the person will be more inclined to consider me as the most credible. That person will be more likely to listen to me in the future.

I'm not trying to convince the 98% of the people here who are firmly entrenched in what they have decided is the truth. I'm here to speak to those few who don't know.

Answer 4

Christina: Only God can change one's mind and draw him or her to Him (see: John chapter 6, verse 44). The objective for attempting to "change people's minds" is not the job nor responsibility for Christians but for God to do. Remember though; when people ask the questions in here, they deserve an answer, accordingly !!! How are people to hear the Gospel unless someone tell them ?

Answer 5

You are right; only God can change a person's heart/mind. Yet, it is the duty of a believer to throw out "seeds" for thought to the non-believer's.
I do agree you however that it really takes away the idea of sincerity if something posted looks exactly like what that person has posted again and again.
Hopefully your question will help them see that too.

Answer 6

All truth is relative, and no one (in my mind) does a good job of persuasion by cutting and pasting someone else's "truth" up here, whether they believe it or not.

In defense of my own cutting and pasting, I only use it when I cite articles used to explain my position, but I don't pass it off as a universal truth.

Answer 7

personally, I never cut and paste my answers. and personally, I don't care what other people believe in as long as they don't attack what I believe in. I would never make an effort to change someone's mind. I will answer accordingly if people ask about my religion, but if the question is meant to mock my beliefs, I don't bother answering it seriously.

Answer 8

I would agree with your statement "the truth does not need an advocate". I believe you and everyone else will someday be a believer in Jesus Christ because of this very reason. It is the truth and you need to hear it; that's why some of us tell you about Him. Jesus is drawing all to Himself, but He uses believers to do it.

Answer 9

Having as quickly as been a Roman Catholic, i'm now non-denominational. inquire from me what i'm, i could respond a Christian, a follower of Christ. we are able to no longer positioned our faith in any guy made employer, yet in God by myself. The doctrines and dogma of the incredibly some Christian denominations could lead on on you to Him, yet our own relationship with the living God could desire to be the prevalent subject that our faith and desire. hold close in prayer and examining of His word, and he will draw on the factor of you. Ask, seek for and knock. God has sealed people who have faith along with his Holy Spirit, who will instruction manual and coach us. could God bless you in this adventure.

Answer 10

Let me answer your question by asking a question. If you felt certain that what you believed was the one only way to have eternal life with God, wouldn't you want to tell everyone about it? If you believed that it was the ONLY way into heaven, wouldn't you have an obligation to your family, friends, and anyone and everyone to share what you have found to be true? So, maybe the question should be "How could one NOT try to change someone's mind about their religion?"